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SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:
No Finer a Cause
on the Planet"
________________________________________________________________
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In the Largest, Widest Read "The
Autism Calendar"tm
http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/frm/calendar-form.htm
--- > NOTE CALENDAR DEADLINE ** Nov 24 **
FOR DEC UPDATE
ADVOCACY
* Government Still Doubts Autism Growth,
Claims to Have Co-opted Dissident Autism
Groups
RESEARCH
* Study Shows Benefits Of
Living With Disabled Family Members
TREATMENT
* New Therapy, Interactive Metronome, Helps
Student Improve Focus
* A Look at Exorcism ‘Therapy’- Are They
Demons or Just Delusions?
CARE / FORENSIC
* Teen's Mother Has Statements But Doubts Credibility
* L. A. Spec Ed Student Removed From
Classroom Awaits Assessment
* No Charges Filed In
* 'A Good Fit' For Special Students
EDUCATION
*
Government Still Doubts
Autism Growth, Claims to Have Co-opted Dissident Autism Groups -
Autism Summit Conference
"We don't have enough
rigorous, long-term data to
know if the
actual incidence of autism is increasing,"
- Steve Foote, director of
neuroscience at NIMH
[By Maggie Fox.]
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19319177.htm
Reuters - Government agencies and autism
advocacy groups announced a new alliance on Wednesday to shed some light on
autism -- a disorder surrounded by angry parents, frightening rumors and little
solid fact. The advocates, once fierce critics of the
government, said they were teaming up to encourage and actively participate in
research to battle the brain disorder and find out not only what causes it but
precisely how many people have it. They announced four new programs to find the
genetic causes, screen children earlier, identify treatments and pool
information. They account for $5.2 million, about half from the groups and half
from the National Institutes of Health.
"This really is a different way of
doing business," Dr. Duane Alexander, head of the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development, told a conference on autism. "This
public-private partnership should make it possible to move much more quickly to
find answers to the genetic puzzle that autism presents," added Dr. Story
Landis, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning it
varies from person to person. Usually diagnosed around the time children learn
to talk well -- at age 2 or 3 -- autism affects communication and social
skills. "About 40 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders do
not talk at all," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a
statement. Many refuse to be held or cuddled and may engage in repetitive
behaviors. "We don't know what causes this. There is no cure. There is no
treatment. We want to change this," Prisca Chen
Marvin of the National Alliance for Autism Research, and the mother of a child
with autism, told the conference.
Countering Rumors
The researchers also hinted that the new
research may counter what they consider to be misleading ideas about autism,
including fears that vaccines could cause the disorder. Several studies have
found no link between vaccines and autism. "It will defuse some of these
other issues," said one researcher, who asked not to be named. Another
common but unproven theory is that there is a new epidemic of autism.
"We know that autism is much more
common than previously thought," said Dr. Jose Cordero, head of the new
birth defects branch at the CDC. It may be as common as 1 in every 250 births,
he said.
"We don't have enough rigorous,
long-term data to know if the actual incidence of autism is increasing,"
Steve Foote, director of neuroscience at NIMH, said in an interview. What the
groups have to offer are the families to be studied, and expertise in gathering
information. One alliance will help researchers get more DNA samples from
families affected by autism so they can find the genes that may underlie the
disorder.
"You have to have the numbers or you
are just looking for a needle in a haystack," said NIMH Director Dr.
Thomas Insel. Cure Autism Now trained people to take
blood samples from all members of families with autistic children. The goal is
a more complete genetic database. Another alliance, between the CDC and the
Autism Society of America, aims to create an awareness campaign and a
standardized screening program so parents, teachers and doctors can find
children with autism as early as possible. While there is no cure, some
therapies may help autistic children interact better with others.
SAR CORRECTIONS:
1. None of the above mentioned autism
groups have been “fierce critics” of the government as reported, outside of calling
for more spending on autism research.
2. Those groups who have lead the
challenge on the governments’ handling of the possible vaccine connection to
autism where not invited to the conference, were not in attendance, and do not
have any “partnership” or conflicts of interests shared with the Federal
government or related pharmaceutical companies.
3. The possible vaccine connection to
autism is more than “rumors” as reported, there is a growing body of peer
reviewed, controlled studies in support of the hypothesis.
4. There is more scientific evidence that
the growth in autism is real, rather than an artifact of better head
identifying and counting (none) as claimed.
5. While there may be a genetic component
to autism, that it is a genetic disorder has not been established.
6. While the anger some parents have over
the government’s handling of autism is real, the driving force behind their
advocacy is their love for their children and a desire for an unbiased pursuit
of research on the damaging cause, the prevention, the treatment and the care.
7. There are many children who have
recovered from autism. The “cure” label has become too loaded with
preconceptions and agendas to be very meaningful in the context of autism.
-edito r
BRIEF COMMENTARY: Autism advocacy has not been bought off by
the NIH and the CDC as it appears reported above and in some other news
services. Skeptics of the government’s research agenda into autism still exists
now, more than ever, despite the Fed’s “partnership” with some autism groups.
The skeptics and dissidents of the status quo are just not well represented,
yet. It’s just a matter of time.
Meanwhile, for a non-political, unvarnished review of new and proposed
autism research, note the scientific IMFAR Conference in May at the M.I.N.D.
Institute in
* *
Autism Summit Conference
LIVE via Web Cast, Also Archived
You can view the conference LIVE or
archived, via web cast, by following instructions on this link: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nimh/031119
.
All general sessions will be web cast, as
will one of the breakout groups for each session. The other breakout groups will be available
for archived viewing.
In addition, you will find updated
information on this conference, including the agenda and reports following the
conference, on the following
website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/events.cfm
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* * *
RESEARCH
Study Shows Benefits Of Living With Disabled Family Members
[By Robin Martin.]
http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/46933
When Kelly Willett first attended BYU,
she wasn't as happy as she expected to be.
Willett realized she missed serving her
brother, Mason, who has mental and physical disabilities.
Because of Willett's experiences with
Mason, she said she believes information found by BYU researchers is important.
Faculty from the
“This study is an example of how research
being done is adapting to the changing social view,” Olsen said.
The researchers tried not to focus the
research on the idea that it is an overwhelming negative experience to have a
disabled child in the home. They focused on what the siblings gain from the
experience, in addition to the challenges, Olsen said.
As part of the study, children were asked
open-ended questions such as, “What is the hardest thing about living with your
[disabled] brother or sister today?” Then they were asked to write in a diary
about their experience that day.
“Looking at the entries we found about 22
percent will say 'nothing,'“ Olsen said. “So I don't
think it is an overwhelming negative experience for them.”
Willett said she also has gained social
skills because of Mason.
“I am used to taking care of Mason and
looking out for him,” Willett said. “When I interact with other people I don't
just think how I can benefit, but what I can do for them.”
Another benefit Willett attributes to
Mason is the unity of her family.
“We are his only social interaction, and
he depends on the whole family,” Willett said. “He wants you to be happy. The
only time I have seen Mason upset is when our family is fighting.”
Erica Iverson, a nutrition science major
from Argyle,
“Daniel came and turned our world upside
down,” Iverson said. “The most positive thing our family has gained is how
close we are.”
Iverson said she believes the only way
someone can have an understanding of what it is like to have a disabled
sibling, is to experience a disabled individual in their life.
“People say, 'Oh I'm glad I'm not them,'“ Iverson said. “But others who have experienced an
individual with disabilities say, 'Wow they are really blessed, their family is
really close.'“
Olsen said the family can receive help
and support from various groups.
“The resources a family has to draw on
will make a difference on how well they adapt to having a child with a
disability,” she said. “Resources such as a good family support system or a
social support system, such as a religious group, help families adapt better.”
Willets said having a family member with
a disability has been a great blessing in her life.
“People are so blessed to have a person
with a disability in their lives,” Willett said. “A lot of people don't realize
that, because they are ignorant to what a disability is and how it affects
family life.”
One of the biggest blessing
Willett said she has in her life is her brother Mason.
“I think at BYU more people see it
[having a disabled sibling] as a positive experience because of the religious
culture,” Willett said.
Willet said she believes the reason the
social view is changing is because, “People with disabilities don't want to be
singled out. They want to be integrated into the workforce and society; they
don't want to be looked at as a disabled person.”
* * *
TREATMENT
New Therapy, Interactive
Metronome, Helps Student Improve Focus
[By Amy Flowers Umble.] http://www.freelancestar.com/News/FLS/2003/112003/11192003/1159481
Travis Thompson, a dark- haired
10-year-old, bounds into the room with cheerful energy.
He greets Denise Pado,
his occupational therapist, with a beaming face.
“He just hates to come here, can't you
tell?” his mom, Candy Thompson, says as Travis jumps onto a platform swing.
Pado guides
Travis over to the computer, telling him he'll have to work first. He can
choose his reward.
Travis requests his treat with an
enthusiastic cry. “Crabby patties!”
Pado promises
the SpongeBob SquarePants
candy and Travis affably puts on a pair of headphones and positions himself in
front of the computer.
Travis--who has autism--is now an old pro
at this work. He's been doing Interactive Metronome training with Pado for 18 sessions.
The technique is pretty new to Pado. Travis is her test subject.
Pado first
heard about the training when she was working for the school system. A parent
heard of the program and told Pado about it.
“I thought, 'That's the most ridiculous
thing I've ever heard, and how much money did they take from you to do this?'“ Pado said.
But the student started showing
remarkable improvement. Pado was intrigued. She knew
that one day she would get certified to do the therapy.
Pado left
And she chose Travis to be her “training
subject.” She broached the subject to Travis' mom.
She explained the therapy--Travis would
wear headphones and respond to repetitive cowbell sounds. He would respond
using his feet and hands, performing rhythm exercises.
“The IM addresses a fundamental brain
process. Therefore, it has a wide range of applications to enhance
performance,” Matthew Wukasch, CEO of Interactive
Metronome Inc., said in a press release.
Thompson had never heard of the program
when Pado mentioned it, but she thought it sounded
interesting.
“If it could do what it says it does,
that's just phenomenal,” Thompson said. “I figured even if it didn't work, he
could spend time with his favorite OT.”
The company behind the therapy touts the
program as a nondrug treatment for ADHD and says it
helps in the treatment of Parkinson's, ADHD, autism and other learning
disabilities.
The program also helps students with
normal abilities to improve their academic skills. And it helps athletes,
especially golfers, develop a better sense of rhythm
and accuracy.
The company claims the therapy produces
“significant gains.” Thompson noticed smaller improvements in her son.
Before Travis started the therapy, his
parents used to struggle to get him to read. One night after he started the
therapy, Thompson had to stop Travis after he'd read three books.
“That's probably the main thing I've
noticed,” Thompson said. “He's more confident in his reading.”
Travis saw other improvements.
“Did you notice any changes?” Pado asked him while evaluating Travis at the end of his
therapy.
Travis nodded. “Handwriting,” he mumbled
shyly.
“Did you notice any other changes?” Pado asked.
“I can concentrate better,” he said.
He's not the only one who's noticed his
focus. Travis' Special Olympics coach, Mary Lyscher,
saw the changes as well.
“I just happened to notice that when I
was giving him directions, he was actually paying attention,” Lyscher said.
She mentioned the changes to Thompson,
who told Lyscher about Travis' new therapy.
Travis' paraprofessional in the
learning-disabilities class at Brock Road Elementary School, Barbara Hotz, worked with Travis two years ago and again this year.
She could see all kinds of changes in the
student.
“He reads much better, he's more focused
on his work, he's just doing a great job this year,” Hotz
said.
* * *
A Look at Exorcism
‘Therapy’- Are They Demons or Just Delusions? Most of popular culture´s knowledge of demonic possession comes from the
film classic The Exorcist.
[By John M. Powers.]
http://www.insightmag.com/news/551585.html
Terrance Cottrell Jr. was winding down
his summer in
Who, after all, is performing these
ceremonies? Have we not learned from modern psychiatry that mental illness is
not caused by demonic possession? Or was C.S. Lewis correct in saying, “The
greatest trick the devil ever pulled was in convincing the world he didn't
exist”? Most of what the popular culture
knows about exorcism and demonic possession is gleaned from The Exorcist, a
film classic that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Since its release
this imaginative horror picture, based on the novel of the same name by William
Peter Blatty, has whetted an appetite and widespread
interest in exorcism that in turn has produced other films, books and
broadcasts that have tended to encourage the practice.
Biblical literalists point to exorcisms
performed by Jesus, citing Luke 8:26-40 and Mark 1:23-36. These accounts, as
well as Ephesians 6:10-18, which are seen as a charter for spiritual warfare,
gave rise to the practice of exorcism among early Christians.
+ Article continues: http://www.insightmag.com/news/551585.html
* * *
CARE / FORENSIC
Teen's Mother Has Statements
But Doubts Credibility
The mother of a teen who
died three months ago at
[By Stephanie Esters For
The
ml
In some editions of Monday's Kalamazoo
Gazette, it was reported that the mother of Michael Renner-Lewis III, who was
autistic, had indicated she had not received any documents about what had
happened in the hours leading up to his death. The woman took the occasion of
what would have been her son's 16th birthday Monday to express her frustration
at the course of the investigation.
However, Craig Mutch,
an attorney representing the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency,
said Monday it was his understanding that witness statements had been made
available to Michael's mother, Elizabeth Johnson of
“From our point of view, our hands are
tied” in answering all of Johnson's questions, Mutch
said.
Johnson said she had received the witness
statements from the Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service Inc., a
disability rights organization that is investigating whether her son's rights
were violated. But she said Monday she was not sure of the information's
credibility. Johnson showed the documents to a Gazette reporter but declined to
release them.
Michael, a sophomore, died Aug. 25, the
first day of his sophomore year at the school. He was pronounced dead at
Johnson has been given about a dozen
witness statements, some typed but most handwritten and dated Aug. 25 or the
next day. They are signed by KRESA and Parchment teachers and administrators
who were either involved in or witnessed the restraint. Johnson said the
statements were faxed to her.
One statement Johnson showed the reporter
says a school official held the teen's hands behind his back while another
person held down his shoulder as the teen lay
face-down in Room 102 of the school.
Another statement said Michael was in a
“violent mind-frame” and was restrained after school officials feared he would
harm himself or others.
One of those statements refers to a prior
restraint that Michael had been subjected to in his previous year at the
school. His mother said she was not aware that her son had been restrained,
something she had not authorized in his Individual Education Plan she had
worked out with the district.
“Basically, what they
(Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service Inc.
officials) were telling me was not to
put emphasis on those things,” Johnson said of the statements.
Johnson's attorney, Paul Broschay, said he had copies of the statements, which he
also declined to release.
Michael's death is being investigated by
the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department. Detective Sgt. Donald McGehee said last week the department was still awaiting
the results of a toxicology exam, which is part of a complete autopsy.
An initial autopsy did not establish a
cause of death.
* * *
[By Kathleen Acuff / Town Crier.] http://www.losaltosonline.com/articles/2003/11/18/news/schools/news01.txt
A private, difficult situation has taken
on Dickensian overtones and hit local newspapers.
But far from starring a cheated and
neglected ragamuffin, the story concerns a mainstreamed special education
student whose behavior became too disruptive to the classroom, according to
parents of her classmates and to representatives of the
The third-grader was recently removed
from Kathy Panec's classroom to a one-to-one tutoring
room as a temporary measure while LASD awaits the assessment of her situation
that it has requested from the Special Education Hearing Office.
“Unsafe behaviors needed immediate
action, and we were unable to reach agreement with the parents about what
should be done. We had to take action for the safety of that student and other
students in the classroom,” Charlene Luks, the school
district's director of pupil services, said by phone Nov. 12.
The Special Education Hearing Office
provides due process hearings under the federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act and under contract with the state. These hearings can include a
decision by the hearing officer on how to proceed with the child's school
situation. Luks said that the due process hearing for
which the school district filed in this situation is only the second such
hearing it has had to request during her tenure, which began in 1996. The first
was for the same family, she added, “and the school district prevailed.”
LASD's services
for a special education student are provided at no cost to the child's family.
Available are such services as a one-to-one classroom aide, a behavior support
plan, speech therapy, specific training for the teacher, additional education
for the parents, and services from experts outside the district. Despite
drastic nationwide and statewide cutbacks in federal funding, LASD continues to
provide these services to each special education student through an Individual
Educational Plan. In addition to other special education students, LASD serves
about 30 autistic children, Luks said.
“We all want this girl to be successful,”
she added.
“We can only provide the services with
parent consent, and that is why it is so important to work cooperatively with
parents and that the IEP team reaches consensus,” Luks
explained. “It is only when we can't reach consensus with parents that we have
this step of a due process hearing.”
Superintendent Marge Gratiot commented,
“We find that successful mainstreaming occurs when additional resources ... are
provided, and when the parents of the child and the school staff can work
together cooperatively to design a consistent program for the child.”
Gratiot added that the regular classroom
is not the best place for all special education students.
“Some ... need a smaller class, with a
teacher who specializes in their ... specific disability; others need an
intensive therapeutic environment with counseling included; still others need
the physical environment modified so they can be successful,” she said.
Gratiot said that many parents worry that
the presence of a special education child will interfere with their own child's
ability to learn in the regular classroom.
“We try to mitigate that concern by
providing more aide time to the classroom and additional resources as
necessary,” she said. “The law does not allow us to use the effect on another
child's learning as a reason not to mainstream a child. However, if a child's nonmanageable behavior poses a danger to himself or to
other children, we will consider finding a more appropriate placement, where
the child can be in a safe environment. Often after a short time in a different
environment, the child's behavior has modified enough so he or she can be
placed back in the regular classroom.”
The
Karen Mueller, a parent of another
autistic child who had the same teacher last year, wrote to the San Jose
Mercury News and to Gratiot: “An aide, the resource specialist, the speech and
language pathologist, and the principal all worked closely with (my daughter)
at times. So I personally know the people, the methods, and the philosophy of
the staff involved in the reported case ... I found the school staff devoted to
helping her succeed. I found them to be knowledgeable and skilled in working
with my daughter. I think that the classroom teacher is a saint - she came up
smiling and constructive no matter what difficult behaviors my daughter was
displaying. She worked closely with me through daily e-mails and conversations
so that I could continue the same work at home ... This school district is
committed to providing 'a lot of services' and the 'the right kind of services'
in order to keep children in the least restrictive environment ... My daughter
is now in the fourth grade and functioning appropriately without an aide ... I
consider this success a miracle. Special Day Class, which some may feel to be
segregating, was exactly the right placement for my daughter
.... The quiet safety of the SDC was perfect. With a sense of calm she
was able to spend her energy on the important stuff -- learning the social
skills and good behaviors that serve her so well now.”
Another Springer parent sent the
following message anonymously to other parents: “My child had the teacher
referred to in the (Mercury News) article last year and she is the best that
any parent or child could ever hope for. To insinuate that the child and her
family were not treated with care, respect and dignity is highly
irresponsible.”
_______________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________
* * *
No Charges Filed In
Parents claimed disabled
children were mistreated
[By Shannon Murphy for
the
Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings
III said he made the decision after reviewing a
“Sometimes autistic children act out and
need restraint,” he said. “There was nothing that would substantiate any intent
to harm any of the children.”
The families will continue with a civil
suit seeking $3 million in damages, said Frank Fleischmann, an attorney
representing them.
Fleischmann said the lack of criminal
charges has no bearing on the civil suit, in which the burden of proof is less
stringent.
Circumstantial evidence, such as records
of days the children came home with bruises, can be used, he said.
“Quite frankly, I'm not surprised by Mr. Dunnings' position,” he said “It's a tough case from a
criminal point.”
The suit, filed in Ingham County Circuit
Court in September, claims teachers and administrators allowed unspecified
abuse of the children earlier this year.
It names a teacher, an aide, two
administrators and Haslett Public Schools.
Superintendent Robert Regan said Tuesday
he stands behind the district's employees.
* * *
'A Good Fit' For Special
Students
School's print shop
available for hire
[By Lisa Rosato.] http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=811&NewsID=506203&CategoryID
=9045&show=localnews&om=1
The name Hannah More may soon become
synonymous with Kinko's now that the school has begun offering the services of
its print center to local businesses.
The print center at the
“We started with simple copying and saw
it as an area our students could benefit from, so we expanded on it,” said
Michael Kerins, director of education at Hannah More.
The school's print center has completed
work for Heavenly Ham Inc., the Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Chamber of
Commerce and local florists, churches and delicatessens.
Kerins said the
print center is a good fit for autistic students who, due to sensitivities to
sound, do not participate in the school's building and automotive trades
programs.
“This center provides them with a
tangible opportunity,” Kerins said.
While the training program has been in
place for the past two years internally, two grants totaling $40,000 from the
France-Merrick Foundation of Towson and American Express Foundation allowed the
school to update equipment and market the service.
Donna Clare, director of development at
Hannah More, said the grants paid for a color copier, a laminating machine, a
paper-cutting machine, a machine that aligns stacks of paper and an electric
stapler.
Clare said the school would like to
secure enough money to hire a full-time staff person for the center to teach
managerial and business skills.
Shannon Penkala,
a 17-year-old student, has recently started working in the center.
“You can learn a lot of job skills and
social skills” like compromise, she said. “There's different
personalities, so you can't get mad because that affects your work.”
Rafi Handwerger, 20, has worked in the service center for the
past year and a half doing everything from copying and shredding to binding
booklets.
“I like it, and I think that's all that
really counts,” he said.
Kerins said the
students feel a definite ownership of the work they do.
“They take pride in the fact that people
in the community trust them with this work,” he said.
The money charged for the students'
services _ which ranges from $1 to $70 per hundred pages depending on the
complexity of the job _ helps buy materials for the center, Kerins
said.
Clare said the goal is to give the
students training that will help them get a job after graduation.
Right now there are about 30 students who
work in the center and about 15 consistent business clients.
The number of print jobs the students
work on in the center varies from week to week and clients are asked to be
patient with deadlines.
“We ask them to understand that sometimes
the turnaround time may be a little slower,” Kerins
said.
For Irene Sheldon of Sheldon & Sons
Painting in
“Their work is excellent,” she said.
“It's very well supervised and professional. The rewards for both of us are
great.”
Fred Hyman, editor of the Chartley Homeowners' Association newsletter, “Chartley Chatter,” decided to use Hannah More's services after he toured the school.
“It's such a wonderful school, and I
would love to support them in any way we can,” he said. “Their new equipment
has made all the difference, and they're every bit as good as a professional.”
For more information, price quotes or to
place an order with Hannah More's Business Support
Systems contact Bonnie Link at 410-526-5000 or e-mail blink@hannahmore.org.
* * *
EDUCATION
http://iberkshires.com/story.php?story_id=12670
The program offers MCLA students the
opportunity to spend a semester at NECC in
Housing is also provided by The New
England Center for Children at a cost similar to the room cost at MCLA. During
their research, students are under careful professional supervision by
qualified faculty who have joint appointments at
The MCLA faculty member who spearheaded
this cooperation, Dr. Thomas Byrne, is thrilled with the arrangement. “This
will be an exciting option for many of our psychology majors who also have an
interest in education.
Additionally, there is currently a
tremendous demand for individuals trained in scientific approaches to autism
treatment, so students who experience the program will be well trained for
employment and graduate training opportunities,” he added. One MCLA student,
Keri Zwiercan, is currently piloting the program with
others expected to enroll in future semesters.
* * *
[By Dominic Bonaiuto.] http://www.zwire.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=10534641&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=
506096&rfi=6
Parents of autistic children flooded the
Fairfax County School Board auditorium this week to plead for support of a
controversial plan to create a series of mini charter schools for their
learning disabled children in schools across the county.
Stefanie
Lombardo of western
“The services my son receives fall well
short of what the county advertises for itself,” she said. “
Monday night's emotionally charged
hearing drew more than 150 people, including many who objected to the charter
school suggestion.
“This program is designed to cater to a
privileged minority of 60 students out of over 600 autistic children currently
in our system,” said Danelle Perkowski,
the parent of a child at Oak View Elementary in central
Perkowski said
that, by creating the charter school, the county was opening the door to other
learning and developmentally disabled groups. She suggested the county use the
money required to start up the proposed program to further train its current
autism teachers.
A group calling itself Parents for
Autistic Children's Education or PACE has been lobbying for just that for many
years to little avail.
“I can't understand why the school
district aims to be an educational leader in every area but not in the
education of children with autism as evidenced by the school district's extreme
resistance toward
Applied Behavioral Analysis is the
leading method for teaching autistic children, according to clinical research.
Parents pushing the charter school are
proposing to use strict
The PTAs from four of those six schools
spoke in opposition to the charter school application, questioning its impact
on regular classrooms and the authority of the local principal to oversee a
program that would legally be separate from the school but still housed within
the building.
If approved, the school system would pass
on the money typically used to educate those children to the charter school.
Getting the new centers up and running will also require additional investment
from both the school system, which must administratively support the centers, and
the parents, who must provide transportation for their children to and from the
centers.
The school board is scheduled to make a
decision on the charter classrooms tonight, Thursday, Nov. 20.
While sympathetic to the parents, school
board members have questioned the legal ramifications should the experiment not
succeed. While the charter school legislation is designed to allow “outside the
box” methods of instruction, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is
very rigid in its requirements and might not allow Fairfax to change its course
midway through the year if things do not work out.
©Times Community Newspapers 2003
_________________________________________________________________
Lenny Schafer, Editor mailto:edit@doitnow.com
Edward Decelie
Debbie Hosseini Richard Miles Ron Sleith
Kay Stammers
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